This is a member of the Galeus arae complex of the western Atlantic. The taxonomy of this complex was recently revised with former subspecies now listed as full species (Konstantinou and Cozzi 1998, Konstantinou et al. 2000), which is generally accepted. This species is difficult to distinguish from other members of the G. arae complex. It is however, separated from its congeners by the size of its anal fin (Konstantinou et al. 2000).

Justification:
The Longfin Sawtail Catshark (Galeus cadenati) is a member of the Western Atlantic Galeus arae species complex. Information for this species is currently limited but it appears to have a restricted distribution in the western central Atlantic off Panama and Colombia at depths of 431–549 m. Its distribution may not be completely documented due in part to confusion with its congeners. Reaches a maximum size of 34.5 cm total length, but virtually nothing is known of its biology. This species is a potential bycatch of demersal shrimp trawl fisheries, but very little information is available on fisheries operating within its bathymetric range at present. Insufficient information is available to assess this species beyond Data Deficient at this time. Monitoring of fishing pressure within this species’ apparently limited geographic and bathymetric range is required. Research is also needed on its life-history parameters, abundance, range and capture in fisheries (if any).

A deepwater species of the upper continental and insular slopes at depths of 431–549 m (Konstantinou et al. 2000). Little known about its biology. Although the reproductive mode of this species had been in question, Konstantinou et al. (2000) reported this species as oviparous. Reaches a maximum size of 34.5 cm TL (largest verifiable size in the literature; Konstantinou and Cozzi 1998).

A potential bycatch of trawls, but very little information is available on fisheries operating within its bathymetric range. Deepwater shrimp trawl fisheries operate off Pacific Colombia, but are not known to operate in Colombia’s Caribbean waters (J.P. Caldas pers. comm. 2008). Demersal fisheries for shrimp also exist on the Caribbean coast of Panama, but again, no specific information is available on the depths fished. This species’ apparently restricted geographic and bathymetric range would make it vulnerable to depletion.